Cup dispenser

ABSTRACT

A cup dispenser for separating a bottom-most cup from a stack of cups having rims, the dispenser including a reciprocating separator defining an oblong opening for supporting the stack of cups, a portion of the opening having a diameter smaller than the rims, a wedge on each side of the separator adapted and configured for insertion between each side of a bottom-most cup and a second-to-bottom-most cup in the stack, so as to separate the bottom-most cup from the second-to-bottom-most cup, until the bottom-most cup falls through a wider diameter portion of the opening, and a stop member for engaging the stack during separation. The cup dispenser may further include a released cup holder and/or an adapter for changing the diameter of the opening.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cup dispensers in general and, inparticular, to a cup dispenser for disposable cups for dispensing onecup at a time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices for dispensing disposable cups are known in the art. Thesegenerally include a tubular cup container affixable to a wall or waterdispensing devices. The tubular container has an inward-facing lip whichholds the rim of the bottom-most cup. When it is desired to release acup, the user must move the cup back and forth in order to release therim from the lip. However, generally more than one cup at a time isinadvertently pulled out of the dispenser, which is very annoying, andeither the additional cups are thrown away, which is wasteful, or theyare placed back on top of the container or in the stack, which isunhygienic. In addition, often such force is required to pull a cup out,that the cup is bent or distorted.

A number of devices have been proposed for releasing one cup at a timefrom a dispenser. Each of these devices has its disadvantages.

One of the known cup dispensers is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,029, toYang. This cup dispenser dispenses cups upside down, and includes adispensing plate separating the lowermost cup from the stack.

Another cup dispenser is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,937, to Erik Blom.From a pile or stack of cups, which is available in a magazine, thelowermost one is released with the aid of a slide. Simultaneously,retaining elements are slid away from and separating and releasingelements are slid in between the rims of a lowermost cup and the oneabove it to release the lowermost cup. The separating and releasingelements are provided with upper and lower inclined surfaces and theircommon points are beveled away from each other. According to thisdesign, all essential parts of the separating and releasing device aremade in one piece together with the slide.

These two patents provide separation means but do not provide sufficientsupport for the stack, which tends to tilt when dispensing a cup. Whenthe stack tilts, the separation action is not smooth and cups often getstuck inside the dispenser.

A solution to this problem is suggested in US Application 2006/0169712to Yitzchaki. This cup dispenser includes an operator member ofgenerally planar configuration adapted to perform a reciprocatingsliding movement within a cups carrier structure between extracted andinserted positions, to thereby separate the bottom cup from the stackabove and then dispense it below. The operator member has two arm-likeprojections, generally parallel to each other and forming a hollowbetween them where the cups reside. Each arm-like projection includesthree sections in longitudinal succession relative to each other. Thefirst section supports one side of a cup by the rim of a cup and wedgesbetween the rims of two cups in the stack. The second section is arecessed portion that allows a cup to pass through the hollow. The thirdsection is an arched extension to support one side of a cup by the rim,so that each arm-like portion supports the bottom cup in a stack of cupson diametrically opposite sides of the cup. The process of using the cupdispenser involves pushing a button to slide the operator member to theinserted position and taking the dispensed cup. A disadvantage in thisdispenser is that the separated cup is often pulled into the slit by theseparating member and gets stuck inside the dispenser. In addition,occasionally pushing one cup causes the entire stack to move until thelowest cup engages the bottom of the housing, and is unable to fall out.

In addition, these prior art dispensers are designed only for cups ofone size. Thus, these devices are unable to hold cups of different sizesand different lip finishes, as the device for releasing cups is of apre-selected size.

Accordingly, there is a long felt need for a device for efficiently andreliably separating a bottom cup from a stack of cups in a cup dispenserwhich can be easily adapted to any size of cups.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided according to the present invention a cup dispenserincluding a cup container for holding a stack of cups having rims, ahousing, a separator unit mounted for reciprocating motion in a housingbeneath the cup container, and including, a substantially planar bodyhaving an actuator rod at one end and a distal end, the planar bodydefining an oblong opening, wherein one end of the planar body and thedistal end having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the rims ofthe cups in the stack. Each side of the planar body defines a recess,the recesses being in registration with one another, and defining adiameter slightly larger than the diameter of the rims of the cups ofthe stack, to permit passage of a cup therebetween. A pair of wedges,extending parallel to and adjacent the recesses, are adapted andconfigured to enter between the rim of a bottom-most cup in the stack ofcups in the cup container and the rim of a second-to bottom-most cupwhen the separator is actuated by actuator rod, so as to release thebottom-most cup from the stack. The dispenser further includes areleased cup holder, depending from the separator unit, having asubstantially semi-circular aperture defined by an inwardly facingflange for engaging a rim of a released cup.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the cup dispenserfurther comprising a stop member on the housing for engaging andsupporting the stack of cups during release of the bottom-most cup.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the housing defines aseparator receiving recess for receiving the distal end of the planarbody.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the cup dispenserfurther comprises at least one diameter adapter mountable on theseparator for reducing diameter of the oblong opening.

According to another embodiment of the cup dispenser the adaptorcomprises at least one wedge adaptor, configured to be mounted on one ofthe wedges, and means for mounting the wedge adaptor on the wedge.

According an embodiment of the invention, the separator is removablymounted in the housing for replacement with an alternative separator ofdifferent diameter.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the cup dispenserfurther comprises a lower flange on the housing adapted and configuredto catch a separated cup by its rim.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention the wedges includean elongated separating edge.

According to one embodiment of the invention the cup dispenser comprisesa reciprocating separator defining an oblong opening for supporting thestack of cups, a portion of the opening having a diameter smaller thanthe rim, a wedge on each side of the separator adapted and configuredfor insertion between each side of a bottom-most cup and asecond-to-bottom-most cup in the stack, so as to separate thebottom-most cup from the second-to-bottom-most cup, until thebottom-most cup falls through a wider diameter portion of the opening,and a stop member for engaging the stack during separation.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the cup dispensercomprises a housing, a cup separator mounted for reciprocating motion inthe housing, the cup separator defining a substantially circularaperture for holding a stack of cups by their rims and two wedgeportions adapted and configured to move between a lowermost cup and asecond-to-lowermost cup in the stack so as to release the lowermost cup.The housing according to this embodiment defines a lower flange adaptedand configured to catch a separated cup by its rim.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the cup dispenserfurther includes a stop member mounted on the housing for stoppingmotion of the stack of cups without stopping motion of the cupseparator.

There is further provided according to the present invention a methodfor separating a bottom-most cup from a stack of cups having rims, themethod comprising the steps of moving a reciprocating separatorsupporting the stack of cups on a diameter smaller than said rims, andby moving the separator, inserting a wedge on each side of the separatorbetween each side of a bottom-most cup and a second-to-bottom-most cupin the stack, so as to separate the bottom-most cup from thesecond-to-bottom-most cup, until the bottom-most cup falls through awider diameter portion in the separator, while the stack thereon engagesa stop member.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the method forseparating, further comprises catching the bottom-most cup on a flangeon the housing after it falls.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a method for forming a cup dispenser, the method comprisingproviding a cup container for holding a stack of cups having a rim,mounting a separator unit for reciprocating motion in a housing beneaththe cup container, the separator unit including a substantially planarbody having an actuator rod at one end and a distal end, wherein theplanar body defining an oblong opening, one end of the planar body andthe distal end having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the rimof the cups in said stack. Each side of the planar body defines arecess, the recesses being in registration with one another, anddefining a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the rims of thecups of the stack, to permit passage of a cup therebetween. A pair ofwedges, extending parallel to and adjacent the recesses, are adapted andconfigured to enter between the rim of a bottom-most cup in the stack ofcups in the cup container and the rim of a second-to bottom-most cupwhen the separator is actuated by actuator rod, so as to release thebottom-most cup from the stack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further understood and appreciated fromthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are side and perspective views, respectively, of a cupdispenser constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view of a separator constructed and operativein accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 b is a perspective view of a separator constructed and operativein accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 c is a perspective view of a separator constructed and operativein accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a separator having diameter adaptorsconstructed and operative in accordance with a further embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a top sectional view of the cup dispenser of FIG. 1 a in anon-dispensing orientation;

FIG. 5 is side sectional view of the cup dispenser of FIG. 1 a in anon-dispensing orientation;

FIG. 6 is a top sectional view of the cup dispenser of FIG. 1 a in adispensing orientation;

FIG. 7 is side sectional view of the cup dispenser of FIG. 1 a in adispensing orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dispenser for disposable cups whichprovides easy and efficient separation and release of a bottom-most cupin a stack. The dispenser includes a separator mounted for reciprocatingmotion in a housing. The separator is adapted and configured to supporta stack of cups, and separate a bottom-most cup from the stack, whilesupporting the remaining cups in the stack.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, there are shown perspective views ofa cup dispenser 10 constructed and operative in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. Cup dispenser 10 includes a cupcontainer 12 adapted for mounting in a substantially verticalorientation on a housing 18, such as on a wall or water cooler. Cupcontainer 12 can be any conventional cup container adapted to hold aplurality of cups having an outer rim. According to a preferredembodiment, the height of cup container 12 may be selected, depending onthe maximum number of cups desired to be held at one time.

Mounted beneath cup container 12 is a separator unit 14, which serves tosupport the stack 11 of cups in cup container 12, and to separate asingle cup at a time from the stack, when actuated. A stop member 13 maybe provided on housing 18 to stop the movement of the stack of cupswhile the separator continues to move to separate the bottom-most cupfrom the stack.

Depending from separator unit 14 is a released cup holder 15 having asubstantially semi-circular aperture defined by an inwardly facingflange 16 for engaging the rim of a released cup. Thus, cup holder 15 isarranged to hold the released cup for a user to remove when desired, asshown in FIG. 1 b.

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view of a separator 20 constructed andoperative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.Separator 20 includes a substantially planar body 22 having an actuatorrod 24 and defining an oblong opening 26. The end portion 28 of body 22coupled to actuator rod 24 and the distal end 29 of body 22 havediameters slightly smaller than that of the rims of the cups in the cupcontainer, so as to support the stack of cups. Along the sides of body22 and in registration with one another, are two recesses 30 defining adiameter slightly larger than the rims of the cups in the cup container,to permit passage of a cup therebetween.

Separator 20 further comprises a pair of wedges 32 extending parallel toand adjacent recesses 30. Wedges 32 are adapted and configured to enterbetween the rim of a bottom-most cup in the stack 11 of cups in cupcontainer 12 and the rim of the second-to bottom-most cup, whenseparator 20 is actuated by actuator rod 24, so as to release thebottom-most cup from the stack by causing the bottom-most cup to slidebetween recesses 30.

FIG. 2 b shows an alternative embodiment of the separator 20′. Separator20′ is substantially the same as separator 20 but includes a groove 27to prevent the separator 20′ from hitting stop member 13 on housing 18.

FIG. 2 c shows another embodiment of the separator 20″. Separator 20″ issubstantially the same as separator 20′ but it includes wedges 32″ whichdefine an elongated separating edge 33 defining a more acute angle thanwedges 32. Separating edge 33 provides improved separation of the twobottom-most cups, which is especially useful when cups in container 12have small rims, which are more difficult to separate, such as papercups.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that body 22 of theseparator 20, 20′ or 20″ is substantially circular at each end, therebyproviding substantial support for the stack, around about one half therim of the cups, in all positions of the separator. This providesgreater reliability of release of cups and reduces tilting of the stackinside the container or the separator.

In order to use this inventive cup dispenser with cups of differentdiameters, at least one wedge adaptor 35, and preferably a pair thereof,is provided in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 showsseparator 20′ including a pair of wedge adaptors 35 mounted on wedges32. Wedge adaptors 35 are adjusted to reduce the distance between wedges32 allowing separation of a cup of a smaller diameter from a stack ofcups. In addition, in order to provide support for a stack of cups of asmaller diameter, separator 20′ may further include at least onediameter adaptor 37, and preferably a plurality thereof, mounted on theend portion of separator 20′ adjusted to reduce the diameter of oblongopening 26. It will be appreciated that adaptors 35 and 37 may includeadaptor screws 34 or other means for easy mounting and removal, such aspins or snap clips. Accordingly, inside circumference of oblong opening26 may include apertures (not showing) for receiving the screws, pins orother known means of mounting. Alternatively, adaptors 35 and 37 may bereplaced with one arced adaptor configured to be mounted on the insidecircumference of oblong opening 26. According to another embodiment,separator 20 may be removed and replaced with a separator of a smallerdiameter to accommodate cups having rims with a smaller diameter. In thelatter case, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, thatseparator unit 14 may be easily opened to allow separator replacement.

Separator 20 is preferably spring loaded for reciprocating motion inhousing 18, as known.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there are shown respective top and sidesectional views of the cup dispenser of FIG. 1 a in a non-dispensingorientation. In the illustrated embodiment, cup container 12 is seatedon a housing 18 in which separator 20 is reciprocatingly mounted. Arecess 19 is provided in housing 18 to receive the distal end 29 ofseparator 20 when a cup is being dispensed. Here, a pair of springs 34is provided for biasing body 22 of separator 20 in the non-dispensingorientation. A stop member 13 is provided on housing 18 to support thestack against tilting and prevent cups from the stack from enteringrecess 19.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the stack 11 of cups is supportedaround about one half its diameter by the distal end 29 of separator 20,thereby providing greater stability than in conventional cup dispensers.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, there are shown respective top and sidesectional views of the cup dispenser of FIG. 1 a in a dispensingorientation. Here, actuator rod 24 has been manually pressed, oractivated in any other manner, such as by means of a small motor, andbody 22 has moved towards recess 19 in housing 18. As body 22 movesrelative to stack 11, wedges 32 on either side of the stack enterbetween the rim of a bottom-most cup 36 in the stack 11 and the rim ofthe second-to bottom-most cup 38. The wedges 32 serve to release thefrictional grip holding cups 36 and 38 to one another, and to pressbottom-most cup 36 away from the stack. As can be seen, bottom-most cup36 is released when it is between recesses 30, whereby it is enabled tofall between the recesses 30 into the released cup container below.

It is a particular feature of the invention that housing 18 includes astop member 13. As can be seen in FIG. 7, stop member 13 prevents stack11 from tilting and thereby prevents cups on the bottom of the stackfrom entering recess 19, as can occur in conventional cup dispensers.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations,modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. Itwill further be appreciated that the invention is not limited to whathas been described hereinabove merely by way of example. Rather, theinvention is limited solely by the claims which follow.

1. A cup dispenser comprising: a cup container for holding a stack ofcups having rims; a separator unit mounted for reciprocating motion in ahousing beneath said cup container; said separator unit including: asubstantially planar body having an actuator rod at one end and a distalend; said planar body defining an oblong opening; said one end of saidbody and said distal end having a diameter slightly smaller than that ofthe rims of the cups in said stack; each side of said body defining arecess, said recesses being in registration with one another, anddefining a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the rim of thecups of said stack, to permit passage of a cup therebetween; and a pairof wedges, extending parallel to and adjacent said recesses, adapted andconfigured to enter between the rim of a bottom-most cup in the stack ofcups in the cup container and the rim of a second-to bottom-most cupwhen said separator is actuated by actuator rod, so as to release thebottom-most cup from the stack. a released cup holder, depending fromsaid separator unit, having a substantially semi-circular aperturedefined by an inwardly facing flange for engaging a rim of a releasedcup.
 2. The cup dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising astop member on said housing for engaging and supporting said stack ofcups during release of said bottom-most cup.
 3. The cup dispenseraccording to claim 1, wherein said housing defines a separator receivingrecess for receiving said distal end.
 4. The cup dispenser according toclaim 1, further comprising at least one diameter adapter mountable onsaid separator for reducing diameter of said oblong opening.
 5. The cupdispenser according to claim 1, further comprising at least one wedgeadapter configured to be mounted on one of said wedges for reducing thedistance between said wedges.
 6. The cup dispenser according to claim 5,wherein said at least one adaptor comprises: a pair of adaptors, eachconfigured to be mounted on one of said wedges; and means for mountingsaid adaptors on said wedges.
 7. The cup dispenser according to claim 3,wherein said separator is removably mounted in said housing forreplacement with an alternative separator of different diameter.
 8. Thecup dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a lower flange onthe housing adapted and configured to catch a separated cup by its rim.9. The cup dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said wedges includean elongated separating edge.
 10. A cup dispenser for separating abottom-most cup from a stack of cups having rims, the dispensercomprising: a reciprocating separator defining an oblong opening forsupporting the stack of cups, a portion of said opening having adiameter smaller than said rims; a wedge on each side of said separatoradapted and configured for insertion between each side of a bottom-mostcup and a second-to-bottom-most cup in the stack, so as to separate saidbottom-most cup from said second-to-bottom-most cup, until saidbottom-most cup falls through a wider diameter portion of said opening;and a stop member for engaging said stack during separation.
 11. A cupdispenser comprising: a housing; a cup separator mounted forreciprocating motion in the housing; said cup separator defining asubstantially circular aperture for holding a stack of cups by theirrims and two wedge portions adapted and configured to move between alowermost cup and a second-to-lowermost cup in the stack so as torelease the lowermost cup; the housing defining a lower flange adaptedand configured to catch a separated cup by its rim.
 12. The cupdispenser according to claim 11, further including a stop member mountedon said housing for stopping motion of the stack of cups withoutstopping motion of the cup separator.
 13. A method for separating abottom-most cup from a stack of cups having rims, the method comprising:moving a reciprocating separator supporting the stack of cups on adiameter smaller than said rims; and by moving said separator, insertinga wedge on each side of said separator between each side of abottom-most cup and a second-to-bottom-most cup in the stack, so as toseparate said bottom-most cup from said second-to-bottom-most cup, untilsaid bottom-most cup falls through a wider diameter portion in saidseparator, while said stack thereon engages a stop member.
 14. Themethod according to claim 13, further comprising catching saidbottom-most cup on a flange on said housing after it falls.
 15. A methodfor forming a cup dispenser, the method comprising: providing a cupcontainer for holding a stack of cups having rims; mounting a separatorunit for reciprocating motion in a housing beneath said cup container,said separator unit including: a substantially planar body having anactuator rod at one end and a distal end; said planar body defining anoblong opening; said one end of said body and said distal end having adiameter slightly smaller than that of the rims of the cups in saidstack; each side of said body defining a recess, said recesses being inregistration with one another, and defining a diameter slightly largerthan the diameter of the rims of the cups of said stack, to permitpassage of a cup therebetween; and a pair of wedges, extending parallelto and adjacent said recesses, adapted and configured to enter betweenthe rim of a bottom-most cup in the stack of cups in the cup containerand the rim of a second-to bottom-most cup when separator is actuated byactuator rod, so as to release the bottom-most cup from the stack.